Otakon 09
This Otakon was pretty much my first experience with a "giant" con and for being a last minute addition it worked out alright all factors considered.
I had a decent time - there were many things I could have done better with more planning and being in on the wagon when it left the station. But thats stuff I learned for the next time.
It all started with stillvisions putting a call out for people to help fill spaces. I originally wasn't planning on going at all, Polaris having just been the week before and Otakuthon was planned for 2 weeks after. But the man can tempt, cheap hotel right near the con center, a dealer's badge and a relaxed schedule for transport - sold!
Left on thursday afternoon and arrived in the evening - thanks for driving the whole way Kev! Slightly screwed over by the Sheraton but we made the best of it.
Friday there was some trouble with FedEx for the two dealer's in the room and much anguish was shed. In the end it worked out decently but there were scary moments. I obtained a Dealer's badge and wandered around the CAVERNOUS room for a while before it opened to the rest of the con.
*CUE MISTAKE THAT CASCADED CONSEQUENCES FOR THE REST OF THE WEEKEND*
I wandered by one booth in particular - shiny things caught my eye. And I ended up spending most of my food money. >< (For those of you who really know me, that is something NOT taken lightly)
But really, how could I say no to this?
Her and two others >< I mean.. D'aaaaawwwwww
How much was spent? Im not saying XD
*AHEM* Moving along.
I must say that having the dealer's badge has made me completely spoiled. Long line at the entrance? Scoot in the exit! I only used the dealer's room entrance once all weekend. =D And goddamn did I feel great to be a pretentious jerk when people were getting turned away from the convention center entrances and I just walked right in. This must be what people with real power feel like all the time! XD
For most of the con though I was running solo. All the other cons I've been to I typically float around and hang out with whoever I happen to run into. I quickly discovered this doesn't work with a con the size of Ota. =P And because I was in "omg I have to conserve funds" mode, I didn't try to use my cell at the fun $3/min roaming rate to find anyone.
But I still went to a couple panels, one in particular was pretty awesome. The Q&A with Kikuko Inoue =D
When asked about what role she enjoyed playing, she first responded with "Playing the big sister" - but then amended it with well she liked playing Grace O'Conner of Macross Frontier and Lust of Fullmetal Alchemist recently... so she might actually be more suited to do evil characters XD
Then there was the "Whats your favourite scenes?" After laughing it off, she gave us a Top 5 list and actually reenacted the exact lines! Even though I knew she was a seiyuu, and that -yes she actually did all those roles- it was really cool to hear her voice change to match exactly what I've watched =P
But for #1 her answer was "The number one scene is whatever scene you have in your heart right now. (I handled that question pretty well don't you think?)" XD <3
But anyway, onto the photos! Wearing Kaito I carried a bag around and Andy had pockets so I actually had my camera on hand most of the time~ Yays!
King Boo! So it's probably not the most elegant, but I appreciate the effort for something neat.
Kels pointed this pair out. Personas, really well crafted. You can tell I appreciate large wingspans =P
Two of a few spidermen!
"He's dead Jim" "Aww, crap"
D'aaw roomies! Thanks again for letting me stay XD
Original Red Ranger with stolen Green Ranger gear XD Also some other White ranger in the background
"HAIL PRESIDENT SCROOB!"
I only know this guy is from One Piece but damn he looks hilarious XD
STARSCREAM! This was less of a costume than a guy standing inside a statue =P Note the spidey keeping watch.
Note the Penguin. And pretty quickly after that a whole line of comic characters were lining up on that ledge each stabbing each other.
Super awesome Toon Link - I loved the to-scale bomb she had =D
More d'awtastic Zelda
FROG! Pretty well done considering. Oh and I think thats Marle, though I thought she wore light blue?
Floppy Bonta-Kun but I don't really care. It's Bonta-Kun!
Aperture scientists! The radio there actually plays the music the radio in the game plays XD
If you do a ghetto cosplay, you might as well have a good gimmick to it. =P
I have no idea who her character is or where it's from - but I like the costume.
Obligatory Deadpool
Im sorry, but Becky was too adorable to actually show.
Some elegant Vocaloid antics
EMO LEN!
Miku is not amused. Luka is.
Makoto seems to have a particular joy for this sort of thing =P
Found at an Artist Alley table - Probably the most effective tip jar I've seen.
Crappy shot but she had a beautiful dress as Opera!Celes (FFVI) and the voice to match! And not only could she sing the opera, she could imitate the super nintendo's midi version pretty damn well too!
I forgot who this is, but Im sure someone on the flist is supposed to appreciate the catch.
Billowy ryuuraigeki is billowy. =) And quiet you, you look great!
And thats it for now. I would have liked to see the Masq but I couldn't find anyone who wanted to go as well and didn't really feel like soloing that sort of thing.
I was rather pleased with the reception Andy got. Many people asking to confirm I was indeed cosplaying from Advance Wars and quite pleased that I was doing something thats quite rare to see. =D It was also a little disconcerning to hear my name being called out all the time as well lol.
It really did suck I would only run into people I knew maybe once the entire weekend, and that I didn't get to stick around due to... something or other. But like mentioned above, considering I was such a last minute entry - things worked out well enough and I had a good time assisting with being Flash Monkey, Table Sitter, Security Escort and Food Fetcher at times. =P
Other tidbits
- TWEWY at a convention. I brought my DS out on sunday and switched on mingle mode. The limit of 10 connections was filled within a few minutes =P I got alot of points and filled out a few pin sets really quickly XD
- Southern breakfasts. Fish and Grits, Chicken and Waffles are both valid choices
- Fruit punch. While we're used to the grape juice/sour based fruit punch up here, they seem to use watermelon juice down south and it's a weird but clearer taste.
- 4chan's prescene is felt fully. While early "hackers" were secretive and clever, this generation is just loud and dumb. But we'll take their money anyway.
- Scuttlebutt has it that a Pedobear was arrested for setting someone on fire, and Anime Punch had to bail him out. Corroborating evidence includes I smelled burning sometime on saturday.
- Do not let Alex use your washroom
- FUCK! A FUCKING CENTIPEDE JUST SCURRIED ACROSS MY KEYBOARD! Smashed it with my mouse when it got to the mousepad - ew icky parts everywhere. Guh, a leg is still twitching.
Anyway, that about is a general review. Nice con, I could have made better use of it and spent less on nendroids and more on real food. Not sure if I'd go back again as there are a few "flight-worthy" cons I'd like to hit for the 2010 season. SDCC, PAX and AX are all tempting at the moment as well. (Id include blizzcon but we all know how likely that would be)
I had a decent time - there were many things I could have done better with more planning and being in on the wagon when it left the station. But thats stuff I learned for the next time.
It all started with stillvisions putting a call out for people to help fill spaces. I originally wasn't planning on going at all, Polaris having just been the week before and Otakuthon was planned for 2 weeks after. But the man can tempt, cheap hotel right near the con center, a dealer's badge and a relaxed schedule for transport - sold!
Left on thursday afternoon and arrived in the evening - thanks for driving the whole way Kev! Slightly screwed over by the Sheraton but we made the best of it.
Friday there was some trouble with FedEx for the two dealer's in the room and much anguish was shed. In the end it worked out decently but there were scary moments. I obtained a Dealer's badge and wandered around the CAVERNOUS room for a while before it opened to the rest of the con.
*CUE MISTAKE THAT CASCADED CONSEQUENCES FOR THE REST OF THE WEEKEND*
I wandered by one booth in particular - shiny things caught my eye. And I ended up spending most of my food money. >< (For those of you who really know me, that is something NOT taken lightly)
But really, how could I say no to this?
Her and two others >< I mean.. D'aaaaawwwwww
How much was spent? Im not saying XD
*AHEM* Moving along.
I must say that having the dealer's badge has made me completely spoiled. Long line at the entrance? Scoot in the exit! I only used the dealer's room entrance once all weekend. =D And goddamn did I feel great to be a pretentious jerk when people were getting turned away from the convention center entrances and I just walked right in. This must be what people with real power feel like all the time! XD
For most of the con though I was running solo. All the other cons I've been to I typically float around and hang out with whoever I happen to run into. I quickly discovered this doesn't work with a con the size of Ota. =P And because I was in "omg I have to conserve funds" mode, I didn't try to use my cell at the fun $3/min roaming rate to find anyone.
But I still went to a couple panels, one in particular was pretty awesome. The Q&A with Kikuko Inoue =D
When asked about what role she enjoyed playing, she first responded with "Playing the big sister" - but then amended it with well she liked playing Grace O'Conner of Macross Frontier and Lust of Fullmetal Alchemist recently... so she might actually be more suited to do evil characters XD
Then there was the "Whats your favourite scenes?" After laughing it off, she gave us a Top 5 list and actually reenacted the exact lines! Even though I knew she was a seiyuu, and that -yes she actually did all those roles- it was really cool to hear her voice change to match exactly what I've watched =P
But for #1 her answer was "The number one scene is whatever scene you have in your heart right now. (I handled that question pretty well don't you think?)" XD <3
But anyway, onto the photos! Wearing Kaito I carried a bag around and Andy had pockets so I actually had my camera on hand most of the time~ Yays!
King Boo! So it's probably not the most elegant, but I appreciate the effort for something neat.
Kels pointed this pair out. Personas, really well crafted. You can tell I appreciate large wingspans =P
Two of a few spidermen!
"He's dead Jim" "Aww, crap"
D'aaw roomies! Thanks again for letting me stay XD
Original Red Ranger with stolen Green Ranger gear XD Also some other White ranger in the background
"HAIL PRESIDENT SCROOB!"
I only know this guy is from One Piece but damn he looks hilarious XD
STARSCREAM! This was less of a costume than a guy standing inside a statue =P Note the spidey keeping watch.
Note the Penguin. And pretty quickly after that a whole line of comic characters were lining up on that ledge each stabbing each other.
Super awesome Toon Link - I loved the to-scale bomb she had =D
More d'awtastic Zelda
FROG! Pretty well done considering. Oh and I think thats Marle, though I thought she wore light blue?
Floppy Bonta-Kun but I don't really care. It's Bonta-Kun!
Aperture scientists! The radio there actually plays the music the radio in the game plays XD
If you do a ghetto cosplay, you might as well have a good gimmick to it. =P
I have no idea who her character is or where it's from - but I like the costume.
Obligatory Deadpool
Im sorry, but Becky was too adorable to actually show.
Some elegant Vocaloid antics
EMO LEN!
Miku is not amused. Luka is.
Makoto seems to have a particular joy for this sort of thing =P
Found at an Artist Alley table - Probably the most effective tip jar I've seen.
Crappy shot but she had a beautiful dress as Opera!Celes (FFVI) and the voice to match! And not only could she sing the opera, she could imitate the super nintendo's midi version pretty damn well too!
I forgot who this is, but Im sure someone on the flist is supposed to appreciate the catch.
Billowy ryuuraigeki is billowy. =) And quiet you, you look great!
And thats it for now. I would have liked to see the Masq but I couldn't find anyone who wanted to go as well and didn't really feel like soloing that sort of thing.
I was rather pleased with the reception Andy got. Many people asking to confirm I was indeed cosplaying from Advance Wars and quite pleased that I was doing something thats quite rare to see. =D It was also a little disconcerning to hear my name being called out all the time as well lol.
It really did suck I would only run into people I knew maybe once the entire weekend, and that I didn't get to stick around due to... something or other. But like mentioned above, considering I was such a last minute entry - things worked out well enough and I had a good time assisting with being Flash Monkey, Table Sitter, Security Escort and Food Fetcher at times. =P
Other tidbits
- TWEWY at a convention. I brought my DS out on sunday and switched on mingle mode. The limit of 10 connections was filled within a few minutes =P I got alot of points and filled out a few pin sets really quickly XD
- Southern breakfasts. Fish and Grits, Chicken and Waffles are both valid choices
- Fruit punch. While we're used to the grape juice/sour based fruit punch up here, they seem to use watermelon juice down south and it's a weird but clearer taste.
- 4chan's prescene is felt fully. While early "hackers" were secretive and clever, this generation is just loud and dumb. But we'll take their money anyway.
- Scuttlebutt has it that a Pedobear was arrested for setting someone on fire, and Anime Punch had to bail him out. Corroborating evidence includes I smelled burning sometime on saturday.
- Do not let Alex use your washroom
- FUCK! A FUCKING CENTIPEDE JUST SCURRIED ACROSS MY KEYBOARD! Smashed it with my mouse when it got to the mousepad - ew icky parts everywhere. Guh, a leg is still twitching.
Anyway, that about is a general review. Nice con, I could have made better use of it and spent less on nendroids and more on real food. Not sure if I'd go back again as there are a few "flight-worthy" cons I'd like to hit for the 2010 season. SDCC, PAX and AX are all tempting at the moment as well. (Id include blizzcon but we all know how likely that would be)